31/07/2026
The Church of South India Erode-Salem Diocese, Bishop-Designate Rev. Dr. J. Victor Raj
Rev. Dr. J. Victor Raj was born on 1 June 1968. He was born to Late Mr. Jacob, retired Headmaster of the Government Primary School, Periyavelamalai, Perundurai, a native of Brough Nagar, Erode District, and Late Mrs. Pushpa Gandhi, retired Headmistress of the CSI Primary School, Nasiyanur, a native of Ellispet, Erode District. He belongs to the CSI Church, Nasiyanur, Perundurai Pastorate, Erode District.
He completed his Bachelor of Science in Botany at CNC College, Erode, in 1992, and went on to pursue his Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in 1997, with research on the Alienation of Dalit Lands in the Erode Area. He later earned his Master of Arts in Philosophy & Religion from Madurai Kamaraj University, followed by a Master of Philosophy in History from Alagappa University in 2007, with a dissertation on EVR Periyar's Doctrines on God. In 2022, he was awarded his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Tamil University, Thanjavur, with research on Christian Ethics.
He joined the Coimbatore (United) Diocese on 24 July 1997 and served as Assistant Warden of the CSI Boys Boarding Home, V.H. Road, Coimbatore, from 1997 to 1998, followed by service as a DBM Evangelist at the A. Mallapuram Mission Field, Marandahalli, Dharmapuri District, from 1998 to 2000. While serving at CSI Wesley Church, Kolakombai, The Nilgiris (2000-2005), he was ordained as a Deacon on 24 June 2001 and as a Presbyter on 18 December 2002, both at CSI Immanuel Church, Coimbatore, by Rt. Rev. Manikam Durai.
His subsequent pastoral ministry took him to CSI Zion Church, Marandahalli Pastorate, Dharmapuri District (2005-2008); CSI Anderson Memorial Church, Danishpet, Salem District (2008-2010); CSI Good Shepherd Church, Mettur Dam, Salem District (2010-2015); CSI Lechler Memorial Church, Fort, Salem District (2015-2019); CSI Immanuel Church, Hasthampatti, Salem District (2019-2021); and CSI Zion Church, Attur, Salem District (2021-2022). Since 2022, he has been serving at CSI Christ Church, Bhavani, Erode District.
Alongside his pastoral responsibilities, he has served in several additional capacities, including as a Member of the Social Concern Committee, Salem Area, Coimbatore Diocese (2007-2009), and as District Chairman of the Salem Area, Coimbatore Diocese (2013-2020), a role covering the four revenue districts of Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, and Salem. He has also served as Correspondent of CSI Hobart Girls High School, Salem, and as Correspondent of the CSI Elementary Schools at Udaiyarpalayam, Attur, and Town, Attur, Salem District (2021-2023).
He is blessed with a supportive family. His wife, Mrs. S. Laura Victorraj, holds an MCA, B.Ed., and M.Phil., and his daughter, Ms. V. Chris Hasini, is currently pursuing her first year of B.Tech.
The consecration worship will be held on 01 August 2026, Saturday, 9:30 AM at CSI Brough Memorial Church, Erode.
